Are you Ready to get a High-Energy Dog?

If you want to get a dog, but want something that can keep up with your lifestyle, then you will know how exciting this can be. At the same time, you do need to make sure that you’re not making the same mistakes so many others make, which is getting a high-energy dog when you can’t actually meet their requirements. If you want to stop this from being an issue, then the best thing you can do is find out how to tire out a high-energy dog, so you can make sure that you're able to meet their needs moving forward.

 

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Tiring a High-Energy Dog


A tired dog is a good dog. A lot of people-pe have the misconception that walking a dog is simply enough, but this is not the case. The idea is that you do need to give your dog a walk, but at the same time, you also need to wear them out mentally. A lot of people invest in a treadmill for their high-energy dog, and although there is nothing wrong with this, giving them exposure outside is the best way for you to tire their mind as well. If you give them a walk, and then come back to do some training with them then this will help to alleviate some of their mental energy and it will also help to condition a more relaxed mind. If you are not sure if you can commit to more walks then this is fine, but at the same time, it’s a good idea for you to try and make sure that you’re hiring a dog walker who can help. Sometimes, high-energy doesn’t come down to temperament, it comes down to breed as well. Some dogs are naturally high-energy, because they have been bred for a purpose. English Labrador puppies, for example, make fantastic family dogs, they are fiercely loyal and they are also very intelligent. With that said, you do need to make sure that you’re taking the time to exercise them properly. Giving them regular training sessions, and taking the time to really shape their behaviour is important if you want to make the most out of the breed.


Teach them Patience


Teaching your dog patience is another fantastic thing to do. If you want to help yourself here, it’s wise to try and work with your dog to wait. If you have ever worked with horses, then you may the ultimate goal being for them to simply do nothing for long periods of time. In dog training, understand the concept of a patience pole. It’s essentially a pole that the horse is tied to, with which your dog has to learn how to be patient, and they also need to learn how to relax on a lead as well. You can do this if you simply put the work in. Coffee shops are great for this, as they teach your dog to be patient. You simply need to sit down, get a coffee, and then make your dog lie down. At first your dog may be distractable, and they may also want to greet people as they walk past. This is completely understandable, but as they begin to learn that there is no reward to be had here, it will become easier for them to adjust, and to make sure that they are not always riled up. You can also teach them patience when they get out of the car as well. Making them wait in the car for you to call them before they jump out is a great thing to do here. It allows them to settle and wait for your command, which is a very valuable way to ensure their safety.


Training Blocks


Another good thing to do would be for you to look into some training boxes. If you can, make sure that you get the things you need to get the job done. It may be that you need to get some training leashes, a training collar, and some bags. A training collar may have an extra loop on it, so you can attach the lead to more than one part. Double-ended leashes are great here as they allow you to make sure that you have the dog on a shorter, more controlled leash when you are training them, but at the same time, you can make sure that you’re giving them some freedom when out and about, too. Don’t wait for training to become easier; instead, take the time to get started as early as possible. Your dog will become more focused and better at things like this, the more you try.


Double things Up


Another good thing to do would be for you to try to combine exercise with patience. Pick a couple of activities and then make them last roughly an hour. You can then combine this with exercise. It may be that you walk your dog to the local cafe, and that you then try to encourage them to wait for your command to leave. Things like this can help you to not only make sure that you’re training your dog to be versatile and flexible, but you are also teaching them the skills they need, in the situations where they may need them, which is so important, to say the least.


Positive Reinforcement


If you have a high-energy dog, or if you are thinking about getting one, then you need to try to make sure that you are positively reinforcing things as often as possible. Although there are a lot of dog training methods out there, nothing quite compares to how powerful positive reinforcement can be. You want to ultimately shape your dog’s behaviour, so they want to give it to you in the future, without you having to have treats all the time in the future. Things like this will make a big difference to your pet, and they will also make it easier for you to give them the support that they need to live a long and happy life.

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